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Washington Whips | Jimmy Smith
Ask Aberdeen fans of a certain age who was the most skilful player ever to grace Pittodrie and the name of Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Smith would be right up there. A Cult Hero from the 1960s, Jimmy was part of the Washington Whips side of 1967 and last week signed his name on the special prints that have been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary. For more information please click here.
Jim Smith
The argument for protecting the more skilful players in the modern game would not have been lost on a generation of players who thrilled Scottish crowds in the 60’s. Jimmy Smith or ‘Jinky’ as he was christened by the Aberdeen support was the type of ball player that comes along once in a lifetime; Charlie Cooke, Gordon Strachan and their like were often never afforded enough protection as they invariably on the end of some brutal treatment that fortunately we don’t see in the game these days. Jinky Smith certainly came into that category.
Brought up in the tough streets of Glasgow, Smith was one of a host of youngsters that were signed up by new Aberdeen manager Eddie Turnbull in 1965. It was perhaps an opportune time for Smith as he would be given the chance to make his mark under Turnbull. Jinky soon made an impact and he made his first team debut against Morton on 4th April 1966 in a 5-3 win. Smith made enough of an impression to cement his place in the side for the following season as an exciting Aberdeen side blazed a trail to Hampden in the Scottish Cup final.
The Dons hammered Dundee 5-0 at Dens, St Johnstone by the same score in the next round before hitting Hibernian in a 3-0 quarter final replay at Pittodrie. It was a classic goal from Jimmy Smith that saved Aberdeen in the first game at Easter Road which prompted a record 44,000 midweek attendance three days later for the replay. Smith was at his arrogant best as he skipped past challenge after challenge as the Dons had shown a flair that had been missing from the side for many years. It was Jinky who was at the centre of the goal that took Aberdeen to Hampden in the win over Dundee Utd in the semi final at Dens Park.
Although it went down as an own goal from Tommy Millar, it was Jinky’s clever back-heel that led to the goal. Smith went on to play for the Dons against his boyhood heroes Celtic in the final but Aberdeen were not the same without manager Turnbull as he was deemed to unwell to attend the game.
Later that summer Smith showed his fiery side as he was sent off in the Dons USA Presidents Final match against Wolves as he unceremoniously flattened an opponent who had been given freedom to kick lumps out of Jinky from the kick off.
Jinky was also involved in the Dons early European matches and by that time was seen as a crucial part of Turnbull’s new look side. Constant press speculation had Smith linked with a host of English clubs as well as Celtic showing an interest in another of Bobby Calder’s captures as the Dons scout had taken Smith from right under the noses of the Parkhead club. It all ended in the summer of 1969 when Newcastle paid Aberdeen £80,000 to take Jinky Smith to Tyneside. That was huge money back in those days.
If Smith was idolised at Pittodrie, it was nothing compared to the iconic status he went on to enjoy at St James Park.
Smith however experienced a series of knee problems and was sent out on loan to Celtic in the hope it would recover him from the injury problems and allow him to regain form. He failed to do this and sadly was forced to retire at the age of 29.
Smith eventually settled on Tyneside after his playing days were cut and he went on to become a taxi driver in Newcastle.
It can be argued that Aberdeen or Newcastle seen the best of Smith; a temperament that seemed to go with a rare talent that often got Smith into bother with officialdom. Jim went on to make 140 appearances for the Dons, scoring 37 goals and there was never a dull moment with Jinky around. For one so talented it is almost criminal that Smith only played for his country on four occasions.
Jimmy’s younger brother Joe also played for the Dons. he made his debut v Rangers in 1972.73 and was with club until 1978, winning a League Cup Winners medal in 1976; Although not as skilful as his brother, he was still a very decent midfielder.